Non-Camera Equipment Every Photojournalist Should Have (And Why)

1. A towel that is just old enough not to have a ton of lint, but not falling apart. A thrift store is a great place to get one.

• Dry off your photo gear after shooting in the rain.
• Put it in your lap when you eat in the car.
• Put it on the ground before lying down to get a shot.
• Keep your hand cool while unscrewing a light bulb in a hot light, or keep your finger grease off a flash tube (finger grease can cause the tube to break).
• Put over your laptop screen and use the towel as a hood when you are editing outside on a sunny day.
• Use as a plain background to shoot something small.
• Keep your gear clean and dry on the passenger-side floor of your car.
• Wipe the muck off your shoes when you leave a construction zone or farm.
• Wipe off the trunk of your car before you open it - it keeps snow or rain from getting into your trunk.
• Clean off the front of your lens or your glasses.

2. Sturdy shoes. If you insist on wearing sandals, always make sure you have some closed-toe shoes (or boots, if it's winter) in your trunk. Ideally, also, some dress shoes or shoes that can pass for dress shoes.

• You may need to tromp through the woods or on a construction site. 
• You may have to cover a funeral or other solemn event. If you show up in sandals, you will look (and feel) like a jerk. 

3. Extra socks.

• You may get cold and wet and nothing makes you feel more so than cold, wet feet. 

4. A good umbrella or at least a few garbage bags and gaffer's tape.

• You never know when it will rain/snow/sleet. 

5. Extra chargers for everything you plug in.

6. A power inverter like this. You may have to charge something in your car and it's easier to get one of these and have regular power cords. Test yours before you leave home. I had one that blew a fuse in my car every time I used it - but only if I had the radio on.

7. A key to your car in your wallet, or otherwise on your person.

• It is all too easy to get excited about something or be chatting and lock your keys in the car. Save yourself the frustration and always keep a spare. Sometimes you can get just a key that's a copy and will open the door, but not start the ignition. That should be fine and they are smaller. 

8. If you shoot a lot of sports, it's a good idea to get some knee pads.

• They don't look cool, but I'd rather look like a geek than destroy my knees. There are lots of ranges in prices and comfort for these, but just shop around. I use these.

9. A sharp pencil.

• Sometimes it's so cold, your ink will freeze right in your pen. I mean that literally.
• In the rain, a pencil is more reliable than ink. 

10. Sunblock and bug spray.

• I know it's two things, but I think of them in the same way. Just more elements of being prepared. 
• I prefer anything that comes in a packet or wipe instead of a bottle. That way it can't spill and it stands up to the heat or cold of the car better. Throw out anything that's been open for a year - it's no good, even if it hasn't expired yet.

11. A smile.

• It gets you places. It's also the lightest thing you carry all day.